Education

Ph.D. Illinois Institute of Technology, 2006

Research

The Mustain Laboratory for Energy Storage and Fuels (m∙leaf) focuses on the design, characterization and implementation of electrochemical systems — from fundamental materials through device operation and reactor engineering. We work in several areas related to electrochemical energy generation and storage, including: high capacity materials for Li-ion batteries, battery recycling, corrosion and passivation of materials, catalysts and supports for proton exchange membrane and anion exchange membrane fuel cells and electrolyzers, electrochemical reactor design and electrochemical synthesis of fuels. In these projects our goal is to push the boundaries of human knowledge — not as spectators, but as pioneers in electrochemical science and technology. We use that knowledge to create solutions that transform and improve our community.

Selected Publications

•  D. Kathan, T. Omasta, D. Gibbons, M. Zuraw, M. Hull and W.E. Mustain, “Quantifying the Ionic Conductivity of Redox Active Zinc Slurry Electrodes Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy”, J. Power Sources, 666 (2026) 239169.  DOI: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2025.239169.  
• S.A. Lateef, J. Chmiola, F. Albano, W.E. Mustain, and G. Jalilvand, “Understanding the Effects of Binder Dissolution Dynamics on the Chemistry and Performance of Lithium-Sulfur Batteries”, EES Batteries, 1 (2025) 947-963.  DOI: 10.1039/D5EB00062A.  
• M. Amirsalehi, N. Ul Hassan, V.S.S. Mosali, I. Street, M. Manjum, S.A. Lateef, J. Bohannon, S. Mckinney, A.G. Divekar, P.A. Kohl and W.E. Mustain, “Low-Cost, High-Performance Electrodes for PGM-free AEM Water Electrolyzers: Structural Optimization of NiMo-Based Cathodes”, Applied Catalysis B: Environment and Energy, 378 (2025) 125558.  
• B. Lenhart, D. Kathan, M. Hull, T. Omasta, D. Gibbons, M. Zuraw, and W.E. Mustain, “Engineering Zinc Slurry Anodes for High-Performance Primary Alkaline Batteries”, J. Power Sources, 612 (2024) 234818.
• H. Adabi, A. Shakouri, A. Zitolo, T. Asset, A. Khan, J. Bohannon, R. Chattot, C. Williams, F. Jaouen, J.R. Regalbuto and W.E. Mustain, “Multi-Atom Pt and PtRu Catalysts for High Performance AEMFCs with Ultra-Low PGM Content”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 325 (2023) 122375.  
• N. Ul Hassan, E. Motyka, J. Kweder, P. Ganesan, B. Brechin, B. Zulevi, H.R. Colon-Mercado, P.A. Kohl and W.E. Mustain, “Effect of porous transport layer properties on the anode electrode in anion exchange membrane electrolyzers”, J. Power Sources, 555(2023) 232371.  
• N. Ul Hassan, M.J. Zachman, M. Mandal, H. Adabi, P.A. Kohl, D.A. Cullen and W.E. Mustain, “Understanding Recoverable vs Unrecoverable Voltage Losses and Long-Term Degradation Mechanisms in Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells”, ACS Catalysis, 12 (2022) 8116-8126.
• H. Adabi, A. Shakouri, N. Ul Hassan, J.R. Varcoe, B. Zulevi, A. Serov, J.R. Regalbuto, and W.E. Mustain, "High-performing commercial Fe–N–C cathode electrocatalyst for anion-exchange membrane fuel cells", Nature Energy, 6 (2021) 834-843.  DOI: 10.1038/s41560-021-00878-7.
• B. Ng, E. Faegh, S. Lateef, S.G. Karakalos, and W.E. Mustain, “Structure and Chemistry of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) on a High Capacity Conversion-based Anode: NiO”, J. Mat. Chem. A., 9 (2021) 523-537.  DOI:  10.1039/D0TA09683K.
• E. Faegh, B. Ng and W.E. Mustain, “Practical assessment of the performance of aluminium battery technologies”, Nature Energy, 6 (2021) 21-29, DOI: 10.1038/s41560-020-00728-y.